I find myself communicating differently with people who have
mental or cognitive disabilities. I use to work for an agency that provides
services to children and adults with physical and mental disabilities. I know
that all people deserve and want genuine respect no matter what disability they
may have. I find myself talking with a more pleasant, friendly tone, I try to
listen as best as I can, but sometimes I am not able to make out some of their
words, and I found myself being guilty of “Pseudolistening” pretending to listen
by nodding or saying “uh-huh” when you’re really not paying attention.
(O'Hair, D., & Wiemann, M. 2012) I have learned that this type of listening is
disrespectful, and it is just better to say “I really can’t understand what you
are saying, can you repeat it” and if I still didn’t understand I simply told
them “I’m sorry I can’t understand what you trying to tell me” and sometimes
they or I would get some else, who was able to relay the message to me.
Three things that I will use as strategies to help communicate more
effectively are:
·
Adjust to differences
·
Learn sign language
·
Paraphrase, paraphrase and paraphrase
References
O'Hair, D., & Wiemann, M. (2012). Real
communication: An introduction. New York: Bedford/St. Martin's
Hi Tanya,
ReplyDeleteYou chose a good example of a situation in which you may communicate differently. Working with people with mental and cognitive disabilities is very admiral. I think that communicating with them in a friendly way with a smile is great. It may be difficult to communicate with different groups, but a smile is universal. It can tell people so much about the person that they are communicating with. I am also guilty of participating in pseudolistening. It is so much easier to ask the person to communicate their message again or as you mentioned, to listen as best as we can. Learning sign language is a great goal. I think that it would really come in handy especially working with people with disabilities. I have always wanted to learn sign language and I am fascinated by it. All I know is how to spell my name but I would love to learn more! Good luck!
I am so grateful for your post. I posted my concerns with my own communication skills when speaking to people with various disabilities. I think what I got most out of your post was to communicate with honesty. If you are not understanding than it is alright to repeat yourself, ask again, or get some help. I think that I have always been so afraid to offend people that I avoid interactions all together. My sister has a natural and instinctual way of interacting with people who have disabilities and I think that it is her honest care for people that comes out. She is not afraid to make mistakes either. Again thanks for your post!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your blog this week. Your comments made me think about my husband and how he talks and communicates with the individuals that he works with. He works at a group home that houses adults with inabilities (physical, emotional, learning) and how much passion and emotion he has in his tone when speaking with them.
ReplyDeleteI really liked your post on your blog. You made some really great points about communicating with truthfully. I am always trying to be mindful of the way I communicate with people, especially when communicating with people of different cultures and groups. Great post, Tanya.
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